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US 12,313,131 B2Granted
Electric propulsion systems
AssigneeHamilton Sundstrand Corporation
InventorDavid James Tate
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A drive mechanism for an electric propulsion system includes an electric machine. The drive mechanism includes a drive shaft with a longitudinal axis, an engagement assembly, a disconnect mechanism, and an overrunning clutch. The engagement assembly includes a drive shaft engagement element and an electric machine engagement element. The drive shaft engagement element includes first and second shaft gear rings, and each shaft gear ring is supported on the drive shaft. Each shaft gear ring includes a plurality of gear teeth, which are circumferentially disposed around the drive shaft and extend radially outward from the drive shaft.
Claims20
A system for use with an electric propulsion system that comprises an electric machine, wherein the system comprises:
- a drive shaft with a longitudinal axis in an axial direction;
- and
- a drive mechanism comprising:
- an engagement assembly comprising:
- a drive shaft engagement element comprising a first shaft gear ring and a second shaft gear ring, each of the first and second shaft gear rings supported on the drive shaft and comprising a plurality of gear teeth circumferentially disposed and extending radially outward from the drive shaft;
- and
- an electric machine engagement element comprising a first gear set and a second gear set, each of the first and second gear sets comprising a plurality of gear teeth configured to mesh with the gear teeth of the first shaft gear ring and the second shaft gear ring, respectively;
- a disconnect mechanism configured to reversibly move the drive shaft engagement element in the axial direction between a first position and a second position;
- and
- an overrunning clutch configured to couple the electric machine engagement element to the electric machine;
- wherein the gear teeth of the first shaft gear ring have a first axial length;
- wherein the first and second shaft gear rings are axially spaced from each other along the drive shaft by a second axial length;
- wherein the gear teeth of the first gear set have a third axial length;
- wherein the first and second gear sets are separated from each other by a fourth axial length in the axial direction of the drive shaft, the first axial length is less than the fourth axial length, and the third axial length is less than the second axial length;
- wherein, in the first position, the gear teeth of the first shaft gear ring are meshed with the gear teeth of the first gear set and the gear teeth of the second shaft gear ring are meshed with the gear teeth of the second gear set;
- and
- wherein, in the second position, the gear teeth of the first shaft gear ring are axially positioned between the first and second gear sets and are not meshed with the gear teeth of the first gear set or the second gear set.
14 more elements
An aeroplane or wheeled vehicle comprising an electric propulsion system, wherein the electric propulsion system comprises:
- an electric machine;
- a drive shaft with a longitudinal axis in an axial direction;
- and
- a drive mechanism comprising:
- an engagement assembly comprising:
- a drive shaft engagement element comprising a first shaft gear ring and a second shaft gear ring, each of the first and second shaft gear rings supported on the drive shaft and comprising a plurality of gear teeth circumferentially disposed and extending radially outward from the drive shaft;
- and
- an electric machine engagement element comprising a first gear set and a second gear set, each of the first and second gear sets comprising a plurality of gear teeth configured to mesh with the gear teeth of the first shaft gear ring and the second shaft gear ring, respectively;
- a disconnect mechanism configured to reversibly move the drive shaft engagement element in the axial direction between a first position and a second position;
- and
- an overrunning clutch configured to couple the electric machine engagement element to the electric machine;
- wherein the gear teeth of the first shaft gear ring have a first axial length;
- wherein the first and second shaft gear rings are axially spaced from each other along the drive shaft by a second axial length;
- wherein the gear teeth of the first gear set have a third axial length;
- wherein the first and second gear sets are separated from each other by a fourth axial length in the axial direction of the drive shaft, the first axial length is less than the fourth axial length, and the third axial length is less than the second axial length;
- wherein, in the first position, the gear teeth of the first shaft gear ring are meshed with the gear teeth of the first gear set and the gear teeth of the second shaft gear ring are meshed with the gear teeth of the second gear set;
- and
- wherein, in the second position, the gear teeth of the first shaft gear ring are axially positioned between the first and second gear sets and are not meshed with the gear teeth of the first gear set or the second gear set.
15 more elements
A drive mechanism for an electric propulsion system that comprises an electric machine, wherein the drive mechanism comprises:
- a drive shaft with a longitudinal axis in an axial direction;
- an engagement assembly comprising:
- a drive shaft engagement element;
- and
- an electric machine engagement element;
- a disconnect mechanism configured to reversibly move the drive shaft engagement element in the axial direction between a first position and a second position;
- and
- an overrunning clutch configured to couple the electric machine engagement element to the electric machine;
- wherein, in the first position, the drive shaft engagement element and electric machine engagement element are engaged with each other;
- and
- wherein, in the second position, the drive shaft engagement element and the electric machine engagement element are not engaged with each other.
8 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.